How to Make a Claim

To make a claim, please use this Claim Submission Web Form.

Claim Submission Form

According to the Municipal Act and Occupier’s Liability Act, you are required to submit a notice of a claim for property damage or injury to the Municipality. You may do so through the Claim Submission Web Form. You are encouraged to submit notice of your claim as soon as possible. If your claim relates to the condition of the Municipality's roads or sidewalks, you are required to submit notice of the claim within 10 days of the date of the incident. If your claim relates to an injury caused by snow or ice on municipal property that is not a municipal road or sidewalk, you are required to submit notice of your claim within 60 days of the date of the incident.
You are required to include the following:
  • Your name, address, and email address
  • Date and location of the accident which caused the property damage or injury

In the Additional Information field, you are encouraged to provide additional details such as:

  • A brief description of how the accident happened
  • A description of your property damage or injury
  • If you reported this accident to the Municipality, please provide the name(s) of municipal staff involved
  • If a municipal contractor was involved, please provide the contractor’s name

Please note that you will not be able to submit any photos or receipts. Once an adjuster has been assigned, you will be able to submit any documentation you have with respect to your claim. Retain all documentation that you believe supports your claim such as photos, receipts and estimates.

You will receive a confirmation email with your claim number and claim details at your provided email address. Please retain this number as it will be used for all correspondence with the Municipality of Greenstone and insurance adjusters.

Your submission may be forwarded to the Municipality's insurance adjuster for evaluation.

Please note that under the Limitations Act, 2002, any legal action against the Municipality must be issued with the Court within two years of the date of injury or loss. Your notice to the Municipality does not fulfill this requirement under the Limitations Act, 2002.

The Municipality will accept your notice of claim by delivery to the Greenstone Administration Office. Prepare your notice of claim in writing and ensure it contains the information noted in the section above.

Submit a Claim by Mail/Courier:

Director of Corporate Services
Municipality of Greenstone
1800 Main Street
PO Box 70
Geraldton, Ontario, P0T 1M0

The Municipality of Greenstone frequently enters into contracts with independent companies (contractors) who perform work on the Municipality's behalf. The Municipality’s agreements with the contractors contain a strict requirement that they respond directly to claims for any damage or injury they caused to the public.

Upon receipt of information from the municipal division that a contractor had control over the accident location at the time of your loss, the Municipality’s adjuster will forward your claim to the contractor for their investigation and liability determination. You will be advised in writing when your claim has been forwarded to the contractor. The contractor should acknowledge receipt of your claim and identify a contact person who will be investigating your claim. If you do not receive the contractor’s acknowledgement letter within 10 business days, please contact the Municipality’s adjuster to assist you with determining the contractor’s contact person.

The contractor will conduct an investigation and make a liability decision regarding your claim. If the contractor determines they were responsible for your loss, they will resolve your claim with you directly.

If the contractor determines their work met reasonable and appropriate construction standards, they may deny your claim. In this case, their communication to you will provide the results of their investigation and clearly explain their decision. Should you disagree with the contractor’s decision, please contact the Municipality’s adjuster to advise them of the contractor’s position.

The Municipality's adjuster can assist you with the following:

  • clarify the claims process
  • clarify the facts that led the Municipality to its position on liability
  • advise whether this position has changed given any of the contractor’s findings

If the contractor maintains that they are not liable, the Municipality determines that it has not been negligent, and you still wish to pursue your claim, the adjuster will provide you with the basis upon which the Municipality has denied liability.

If you still wish to pursue your claim, you have the option of pursuing the contractor and/or the Municipality by proceeding legal action.

Before a claim is filed and investigated, the Municipality will not authorize payment for a rental vehicle. If you need to rent a vehicle, it is your own decision.

Please note that the claims adjuster must complete an investigation to determine if the Municipality is responsible for your property damage before it can approve any costs related to a rental vehicle. You may consider contacting your own automobile insurance company for assistance in the meantime.

If you choose to rent a vehicle before hearing from your insurance company, you may be responsible for all or part of that expense.

You must report the accident to your own insurer. Regardless of fault, in accordance with the Direct Compensation Rules of the Insurance Act, all physical damage must be reported to and paid by your own automobile insurer.

Making a claim through your insurance company means that you are taking advantage of your insurance coverage for your personal assets according to your insurance policy. Here’s what you should know about going through your insurance:

  • Your insurance coverage is generally more extensive than what you may recover from the Municipality through a third party liability claim.
  • Often your insurance company will pay for your loss up front, regardless of who is responsible for your damage. This may, however, result in higher premiums in the future.

Making a claim against the Municipality of Greenstone is a third-party liability claim, which means you believe that the Municipality has been negligent in its maintenance of facilities, roads, trees and sewers, causing bodily injury and/or damage to your property, and you are seeking compensation.

Here’s what you should know about making a claim against the Municipality of Greenstone:

  • Third party liability claims will take more time as an investigation will be conducted by the Municipality’s adjusters to determine if the Municipality was negligent, causing damage.
  • Payment from the Municipality is not guaranteed.
  • If the Municipality is found to be negligent, the amount that you would receive in compensation is limited to its current value, not its replacement value.

Contact Us

Municipality of Greenstone
1800 Main Street, PO Box 70
Geraldton, ON P0T 1M0

Phone: 807-854-1100